So I have put in an offer for this amazing 1947 Longines Chronostop. It was previously sold by Hodinkee for USD 29k:

https://shop.hodinkee.com/products/1947-longines-one-button-fly-back?variant=19148667524

Any thoughts would be very welcome as this is a grail watch...and grail money...!

 

It's a stunner, although the price to me seems absurd. For that money, I'd rather have a true chronograph like the 13ZN or a 30CH.

 

Thanks for your opinion. Hodinkee also did a “watch of the week” article on it that appears to suggest it’s a unique modified movement? Here’s part of the article - I have underlined the parts I’m referring to:

At first glance, this Longines looks stunning, and intriguing. The two-tone dial is spectacular, but why so many hands? It is indeed a chronograph in disguise, as two center hands measure the elapsed time similar to how a “regular” chronograph would. They differ in a small way though; these hands run continuously and fly back when the single rectangular pusher is pushed. This center configuration offers outstanding legibility with the thin blued hand and the thicker red hand indicating the elapsed seconds and minutes on the same outside track used to read the time.

This dual reading makes total sense, as Longines cleverly modified a time-only movement (its caliber 12.68Z) in order to include this useful center complication – a very innovative approach patented in the very early 1940s. This sophisticated “Chronostop” is indicative of Longines’ pioneering impact in chronography, alongside the renowned caliber 13ZN, also offering a flyback function.

Even though this is a unique and unusual complication, we should not forget that this Longines is a true tool watch; its 37.5 mm diameter and the highly functional dial can’t hide its intended mission. Interestingly, elegance was not forgotten, as you can see from the elaborate lugs and the delicate two-tone finishing of the dial.


https://shop.hodinkee.com/blogs/jou...947-longines-single-button-flyback-chronostop

 

Looks like a recently created/reprinted dial. Maybe done by Longines, maybe not. Even if "service dial" from Longines, I'd expect the value to take a hard hit. Great watch, love to have it. Probably would only pay half the going rate for an all original though at most if the dial could be proven redone by Longines (assuming that it isn't in a vintage original Longines dial).

Note: Paint flakes from the watch hands seems to be on the dial.

Hodinkee doesn't say the dial is original.

 

I think they are speaking to the Chronostop in general rather than this specific piece.

For instance, the example in the article below is to my mind a rarer and more desirable example with its black dial and tachometer scale. It sold at the bottom of its estimate (15,000 CHF) in November.

https://www.bexsonn.com/noteworthy-longines-chronostop-phillips-geneva-watch-auction-six/

 

The movement is a version of the workhorse cal. 12.68Z that has been fitted with "stop-seconds" and a running minute counter. The movement is not unique and can be found in a number of cases with many different dials.

I disagree. Looks original to me.

 

Almost certainly a re-lume. Hands look a bit funny too. This would have impacted the price. Still, USD 30k for a stop-seconds 12.68Z is a lot.

 

Amazing condition for a Longines.

 

Mind you, I am no expert, but I find it strange that Longines (or any manufacturer) would print two scales on top of each other at the bottom of the subdial.

 

Check some of these out: https://www.instagram.com/shinakym/

 

Here is a pocket watch version of the dial - which would sell for about 1/10 that cost.
.

 

Thanks guys! I thought Hodinkee could be trusted, ie that their watches are original and at about the right price (maybe with a 10-20% Hodinkee mark-up, but still in the right ballpark!)

 

Hodinkee price is insane imho. I'm not sure what the correct value is (if there is one that is). There have been a couple of them on the market in the last half year with wildly varying prices (one for EUR 35k) with remarkably fresh looking dials....

Anyway: here's mine (which may come to the market btw..)

 

I love these, but agree price is insane. Two failed to sell at auction last month for far, far less.

Mark- Don’t do it...

 

It will be a 'business venture forces sale' but I'm still contemplating my options

 

M. Bain has/had 2 for sale at USD 25k and USD 40k. A well known Italian seller wants EUR 35k.

This black one from an Italian dealer was EUR 37.5k

Finally: this one was sold but I don't know what the asking was.

 

And the Hodinkee one was $29k.

So is that fair market price after all? And why are these more expensive than most 13ZNs...

 

HAHAHAHAHA.... ahhhh.... HAHAHAHAHA.... and breathe.

Trusted?!

Goodness me no.

Never trust the hype a watch dealer creates around their own stock - and remember, that’s what Hodinkee primarily are now, a watch dealer.

 

Here is my 12.68z chronostop: